Providing users with access to routes for traveling

ABSTRACT

Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for providing users with access to a route for travelling. A user, of a client device, may send a request for access to the route to a route planning service. The route may correspond to a starting location and an ending location. The route planning service may query a route database to identify an entry indicating that a restricted access road segment (e.g., a high occupancy vehicle lane, a shoulder lane, a bus lane, etc.) and/or a road segment (e.g., comprising a traffic light alteration capability) exists between the starting location and the ending location. Responsive to successfully authorizing the user for travelling the restricted access road segment and/or the road segment, the route, comprising the restricted access road segment and/or the road segment, may be provided to the client device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/946,962 titled “DETERMINING HOV/HOT LANE TRAVEL TIMES”, filed onMar. 3, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Restricted routes for travelling (e.g., high occupancy vehicle (HOV)lanes, bus lanes, shoulder lanes, etc.) may have different levels ofavailability and/or access at different times. Traffic may affect traveltimes of drivers at varying degrees (e.g., traffic may add an hour to afirst user's relatively long commute but merely a few minutes to asecond driver's relatively shorter commute). In an example, the user mayhave access to an HOV lane on some days such as when the user istravelling with threshold number of passengers, which may shorten theuser's travel time. On other days where the user is not traveling withthe threshold number of passengers for the HOV lane, the user may nothave access to the HOV lane, which may increase the user's travel time.In an example, the user may see that a bus lane and/or a shoulder laneis empty, but the user may not be permitted to use the bus lane and/orthe shoulder lane. Variable travel times may be inconvenient for theuser, and may cause the user to miss appointments, dinner reservations,etc. Underutilization of HOV lanes, bus lanes, shoulder lanes, and/orother restricted access road segments may be inefficient forunauthorized drivers that may otherwise take advantage of such travelefficient road segments.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One or more systems and/or techniques are described herein for providinga user with a route for travelling. In an example of providing a userwith a route, a client device, of the user, may be registered to createa registration comprising a license plate of a vehicle of the user. Arequest for the route, corresponding to a starting location and anending location, may be received from the client device. A routedatabase may be queried to identify an entry indicating that arestricted access road segment (e.g., a high occupancy vehicle lane, abus lane, a shoulder lane, etc.) exists between the starting locationand the ending location. The route comprising the restricted access roadsegment may be presented to the user based upon the user beingauthorized for accessing the restricted access road segment. In anexample of authorizing the user, a count of available vehicleallocations may be maintained for the restricted access road segment.Responsive to the count not exceeding an allowed allocation threshold,the user may be authorized for traveling the restricted access roadsegment. In another example of authorizing the user, the user may beauthorized for traveling the restricted access road segment based uponthe user submitting a method of payment for access to the restrictedaccess road segment. Responsive to successfully authorizing the user fortraveling the restricted access road segment, the route, comprising therestricted access road segment, may be provided to the client device.

In another example of providing a user with a route, a client device, ofthe user, may be registered to create a registration comprising alicense plate of a vehicle of the user. A request for the route,corresponding to a starting location and an ending location, may bereceived by the client device of the user. A route database may bequeried to identify an entry indicating that a traffic light alterationcapability exists along a road segment between the starting location andthe ending location. Responsive to successfully authorizing the user fortraveling the road segment with the traffic light alteration capability,the route may be provided to the client device. A current location ofthe client device may be maintained. Operation of a traffic light alongthe road segment may be altered based upon the current location of theclient device being within a threshold distance of the traffic light.

In another example of providing a user with a route, a client device, ofthe user, may be registered with a route planning service. A request forthe route, corresponding to a starting location and an ending location,may be sent from the client device. An option to pay for access to theroute comprising a restricted access road segment may be received by theclient device. Payment may be submitted for the option, and the routemay be received by the client device.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the followingdescription and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspectsand implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the variousways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects,advantages, and novel features of the disclosure will become apparentfrom the following detailed description when considered in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of example system for providing a user withaccess to a route for travelling, where a client device is registered.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of example system for providing a user withaccess to a route for travelling, where the user is provided with accessto a restricted access road segment.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of example system for providing a user withaccess to a route for travelling, where the user is provided with accessto a road segment comprising a traffic light alteration capability.

FIG. 3B is an illustration of example system for providing a user withaccess to a route for travelling, where a current location of the useris used to alter a traffic light along a road segment.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of example system for providing a user withaccess to a route for travelling, while maintaining a count of availablevehicle allocations.

FIG. 4B is an example system for providing a user, but not a seconduser, with access to a route for travelling based upon the user having afirst score exceeding a second score of the second user.

FIG. 5 is an example system for providing a user with an option toaccess a route and a second route for travelling.

FIG. 6 is an example system for providing a user with access to analtered route for travelling.

FIG. 7 is an example method for providing a user with access to a routefor travelling.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example computer-readable medium whereinprocessor-executable instructions configured to embody one or more ofthe provisions set forth herein may be comprised.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example computing environment wherein one or moreof the provisions set forth herein may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer tolike elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may beevident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, structures anddevices are illustrated in block diagram form in order to facilitatedescribing the claimed subject matter.

One or more systems and/or techniques for providing a route to a userfor travelling are provided herein. Traffic may vary based the timeand/or day. Users of vehicles may wish to use restricted access roadsegments (e.g., high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, bus lanes, shoulderlanes, etc.), however, depending on local, state, or other regulationsabout the restricted access road segments, the user may not have accessto the restricted access road segments. In an example, a user, whilestuck in traffic, may observe a bus lane that is underutilized. The buslane may have no traffic, and the user may desire access to the buslane. However, the user may not have access to the bus lane. In someinstances, the user may be late and/or miss appointments, dinnerreservations, etc., based upon being stuck in traffic.

Accordingly, as provided herein, users may be provided with access to anefficient route for traveling. In particular, the route may comprise arestricted access road segment (e.g., HOV lanes, bus lanes, shoulderlanes, etc.) and/or a road segment (e.g., the road segment may comprisea traffic light alteration capability). The user, on a client device,may send a request for the route. The request may correspond to astarting location and an ending location. A route planning module maycommunicate with a state entity (e.g., city government, stategovernment, etc.) to identify the route comprising the restricted accessroad segment and/or the road segment, and provide the route to theclient device based upon various criteria and/or conditions being met(e.g., an availability of allocations for using an HOV lane, payment bythe user to utilize a should lane, etc.). The ability to provide userswith efficient routes for travelling may reduce travel times of users,expenditure of natural resources (e.g., reduce gas consumption ofvehicles otherwise sitting traffic near underutilizes HOV lanes), and/orunderutilization of infrastructure such as HOV lanes, bus lanes, etc.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for providing users with accessto a route for travelling, where a client device 102 is registered. Auser of the client device 102 may access a route planning service 104(e.g., an application, a website, etc.). The route planning service 104may display an option to register 106 the client device 102. The optionto register 106 may comprise a license plate field 108 (e.g., where theuser may enter a license plate number of a vehicle of the user) and/or amethod of payment field 110 (e.g., where the user may enter a method ofpayment, such as a credit card number, a debit card number, bank accountinformation, a digital account, etc.). Responsive to the user selectingthe option to register 106, the client device 102 may provideregistration information (e.g., the license plate number and/or themethod of payment) to a route planning module 112. The route planningmodule 112 may determine whether the license plate number is valid(e.g., by communicating with a motor vehicle monitoring agency, such asa motor vehicle administration (MVA), a department of motor vehicles(DMV), etc.) and/or whether the method of payment is valid. Responsiveto the route planning module 112 determining that the method of paymentand/or the license plate number is valid, the route planning module 112may provide a registration notification to the client device 102. Theclient device 102 may display a registration success 114 notification tothe user.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system 200 for providing users with accessto a route 232 for travelling. The route 232 may comprise a restrictedaccess road segment 228. A user, of a client device 202, may access aroute planning service 204 through which the user may request 216 theroute 232. The request 216 may correspond to a starting location and anending location 218. In an example, the starting location may be enteredmanually by the user or may correspond to a current location of the user(e.g., as determined by a global positioning system (GPS)).

The request 216 may be received by a route planning module 212. Theroute planning module 212 may be in communication with a state entity220 (e.g., a DMV, a MVA, a department of transportation, a trafficmanagement system, etc.). In an example, the route planning module 212module may query a route database (e.g., a database comprisingrestricted access road segments) to determine whether the route databasecomprises an entry specifying that the restricted access road segment228 exists between the starting location and the ending location 218.

Responsive to the restricted access road segment 228 existing betweenthe starting location and the ending location 218, the route planningmodule 212 may determine whether the user is an authorized user 222(e.g. determining that the user has a valid method of payment). The usermay submit payment to the route planning service 204. The payment may bebased upon a time of day and/or a volume of traffic on or around atraditional route (e.g., a route without the restricted access roadsegment) that the user would typically take. For example, if a superhighway in Trafficvillle has a high traffic volume (e.g., bumper tobumper traffic), then the payment may be higher for bumper to bumpertraffic conditions than for traffic conditions where traffic is merelymoving slowly.

Based upon the user being the authorized user 222, an authorization code230 (e.g., a code for verification by an officer of the state entity,which may indicate that the user is authorized to access the restrictedaccess road segment 228) may be generated for providing access to therestricted road segment 228. In an example, the route planning module212 may generate the authorization code 230 and send the authorizationcode 230 to the state entity 220. In another example, the state entity220 may generate the authorization code 230 and send the authorizationcode 230 to the route planning module 212.

In an example, a list of allowed users having access to the restrictedaccess road segment 228 may be maintained by the route planning module212. Responsive to successfully authorizing the user, vehicleidentification information of a vehicle of the user (e.g., a licenseplate number) may be added to the list of allowed users. The list ofallowed users may be provided to the state entity 220. In anotherexample, the state entity 220 may add the user's license plate number(e.g., that the user supplied to the route planning module 212 duringregistration) to the list of allowed users for the restricted accessroad segment 228. In an example, if the officer of the state entityobserves the user in the restricted access road segment 228, then theofficer may check the list of allowed users to determine if the user'slicense plate is present on the list or the officer may stop the userand ask for the authorization code 230.

The route planning module 212 may send the route 232, comprising therestricted access road segment 228, and/or the authorization code 230 tothe client device 202. The client device 202 may display the route 232and/or the authorization code 230 to the user. Upon arrival at theending location, the user may be charged based upon an amount of timesaved by using the restricted access road segment 228. For example, ifthe typical drive time from the starting location to the endinglocation, not using the restricted access road segment 228, is one hourand the user arrives at the ending location in 45 minutes, then the usermay be charged based upon the 15 minutes of time that the user saved(e.g., at a rate of a dollar per one minute).

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example system 300 for providing users withaccess to a route 326 for travelling. The route 326 comprises a roadsegment 328 having a traffic light alteration capability. A user, of aclient device 302, may access a route planning service 304 and request316 the route 326. The request 316 may correspond to a starting locationand an ending location 318. The request 316 may be received by a routeplanning module 312. The route planning module 312 may be incommunication with a state entity 320. In an example, the route planningmodule 312 may query a route database to determine whether the routedatabase comprises an entry indicating that the road segment 328 existsbetween the starting location and the ending location 318.

Responsive to the road segment 328 existing between the startinglocation and the ending location 318, the route planning module 312 maydetermine that the user is an authorized user 330. The user may submitpayment to the route planning service 304, prior to the route planningmodule 312 providing the route 326 to the user. The route planningmodule 312 may provide the route 332, comprising the road segment 328,to the client device 302. The client device 302 may display the route326 to the user.

FIG. 3B illustrates the example system 300 for providing users withaccess to the route 326, where operation of a traffic light along theroad segment 328 of the route 326 is altered. The route planning module312 may maintain a current location 322 of the client device 302 (e.g.,by receiving a GPS location from the client device 302). The routeplanning module 312 may maintain a traffic light location of the trafficlight (e.g., such as provided by the state entity 320). Responsive tothe current location 322 of the client device 302 being within athreshold distance 334 of the traffic light location, the route planningmodule 312 may alter 336 operation of the traffic light along the roadsegment 328 (e.g., change the traffic light from red to green). Thethreshold distance 334 may correspond to a speed limit on the roadsegment 328. For example, if the speed limit is 25 mph, the thresholddistance 334 may be less than if the speed limit is 45 mph, because theuser may traverse the distance more quickly at higher rates of speed.

Upon arrival at the ending location, the user may be charged based uponan amount of time saved by using the road segment 328 and/or may becharged based upon a number of traffic lights altered. For example, if 3traffic lights are altered along the road segment 328, then the user maybe charged (e.g., at a rate of $2 a traffic light) $6 for the access tothe road segment 328.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an example system 400 for providing users withaccess to a route 432, where a count of available vehicle allocations414 is maintained. FIG. 4A illustrates an example where an allowedallocation threshold is not exceeded 430. Responsive to a user, of aclient device 402, requesting 416 the route 432 through a route planningservice 404 (e.g., in communication with a state entity 420), a routeplanning module 412 may identify an entry comprising a restricted accessroad segment 428 and/or a road segment 434 (e.g., the road segment 434comprising a traffic light alteration capability) between a startinglocation and an ending location (e.g., as disclosed in the request 416).

The route planning module 412 may maintain the count of availablevehicle allocations 414. In an example, the route planning module 412may maintain a count of a number of users that are accessing therestricted access road segment 428 and/or the road segment 434 within atimeframe. In an example, the timeframe may comprise a time from when afirst user enters the restricted access road segment 428 and/or the roadsegment 434 to a time when the first user exit the restricted accessroad segment 428 and/or the road segment 434. The route planning module412 may determine whether an addition of a vehicle of the user wouldexceed the allowed allocation threshold (e.g., 20 vehicles may beallowed to us the restricted access road segment 428 within thetimeframe) based upon the count of available vehicle allocations 414.

Responsive to the vehicle exceeding the allowed allocation threshold,the route planning module 412 may not provide the route 432, comprisingthe restricted access road segment 428 and/or the road segment 434, tothe client device 402. Responsive to the vehicle not exceeding 430 theallowed allocation threshold, the route planning module 412 may providethe route 432 to the client device 402. In an example, if the count ofavailable vehicle allocations 414 for the restricted access road segment428 exceeds the allowed allocation threshold and the count of availablevehicle allocations 414 for the road segment 434 does not exceed 430 theallowed allocation threshold, then a route that comprises the roadsegment 434 but not the restricted access road segment 428 may beprovided.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example where the allowed allocation threshold430 is exceeded 422. A second user of a second client device 406 maysend a second request 418 for the route 432 (e.g., comprising the samerestricted access road segment 428 and/or road segment 434 as what wasrequested by the user of the client device 402) through the routeplanning service 404. The second request 418 may be received by theroute planning module 412 within a conflicting timeframe as the request416 (e.g., such that if the user and the second user access the route432, then both users would be on the route 432 at a similar time). Theroute planning module 412 may use the count of available vehicleallocations 414 to determine if the request 416 and/or the secondrequest 418 may cause a number of vehicles on the restricted access roadsegment 428 and/or road segment 434 to exceed 422 the allowed allocationthreshold 430.

In an example where the allowance of a single user, but not both users,would not exceed 422 the allowed allocation threshold 430, a first score424 may be assigned to the client device 402 and a second score 426 maybe assigned to the second client device 406. The first score 424 may bebased upon the user comprising a preferred user (e.g., a gold leveluser, a user who pays a slightly higher premium for membership, a userthat provides vehicle telemetry to the route planning module, etc.), ahandicapped user (e.g., as recognized by a state entity), and/or afrequent user (e.g., a user that uses the route planning service 412often, such as at least once a week, once a month, etc.). The secondscore 426 may be assigned based upon the second user comprising apreferred user, a handicapped user, and/or a frequent user. In anexample, if the user comprises a handicapped user, a preferred user,and/or a frequent user, and the second user does not comprise ahandicapped user, a preferred user, and/or a frequent user, then thefirst score 424 may exceed 428 the second score 426. Responsive to thefirst score 424 exceeding 428 the second score 426, the route 432 may beprovided to the client device 402 and not the second client device 406.The second client device 406 may receive a notification that the routeis available 436.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example system 500 for providing users with accessto a route 532 and/or a second route 540. A user, of a client device502, may send a request 516, corresponding to a starting location and anending location 518, through a route planning service 504 to a routeplanning module 512. The route planning module 512 may identify an entrycomprising the route 532 and a second entry comprising the second route540. The route 532 may comprise a restricted access road segment 528and/or a road segment 506 (e.g., comprising a traffic light alterationcapability). The second route 540 may comprise a second restrictedaccess road segment 542 and/or a second road segment 508 (e.g.,comprising the traffic light alteration capability).

Responsive to the route planning module 512 identifying the entry andthe second entry, the route planning module 512 may provide the route532 and the second route 540 to the client device 502. The user mayselect the route 532 or the second route 540. An estimated paymentamount for the route 532 and the second route 540 may be presented tothe user. Responsive to the user selecting the route 532, the clientdevice 502 may display the route 532. Responsive to the user selectingthe second route 540, the client device 502 may display the second route540.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system 600 for providing users with accessto an altered route 620 based upon a current location 614 of the userand a change in traffic conditions 610 (e.g., as compared to trafficconditions at a time a route 604 was provided to the user). The user, ona client device 602, may be accessing the route 604 comprising arestricted access road segment 606 and/or a road segment 608. The clientdevice 602 may share the current location 614 of the client device 602with a route planning module 612. Responsive to the change in trafficconditions 610, the route planning module 612, in communication with astate entity 620, may determine if an entry exists in a route databasecomprising the altered route 620 between the current location 614 and anending location. The altered route 620 may comprise an alteredrestricted access road segment 616 and/or an altered road segment 618.Responsive to determining that the user is authorized to access thealtered restricted access road segment 616 and/or the altered roadsegment 618, the altered route 620 may be provided to the client device602.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 of providing users with access to aroute for travelling. At 702 the method 700 starts. At 704, a user, of aclient device, may register the client device with a route planningservice. The registration may comprise providing the route planningservice with a method of payment and/or a license plate number of avehicle of the user. At 706, the user may send, from the client device,a request for the route corresponding to a starting location and anending location. The route planning service may identify the routecomprising a restricted access road segment. At 708, the client devicemay receive an option to pay for access to the route comprising therestricted access road segment. The user may use the method of paymentthat the user submitted while registering the client device. At 710, theuser may submit payment for the option. At 712, the client device mayreceive the route. At 714, the method 700 ends.

Still another embodiment involves a computer-readable medium comprisingprocessor-executable instructions configured to implement one or more ofthe techniques presented herein. An exemplary computer-readable mediumthat may be devised in these ways is illustrated in FIG. 8, wherein theimplementation 800 comprises a computer-readable medium 802 (e.g., aCD-R, DVD-R, or a platter of a hard disk drive), on which is encodedcomputer-readable data 804. This computer-readable data 804 in turncomprises a set of computer instructions 806 configured to operateaccording to one or more of the principles set forth herein. In one suchembodiment 800, the processor-executable computer instructions 806 maybe configured to perform a method 810, such as at least some of theexemplary method 700 of FIG. 7, for example. In another such embodiment,the processor-executable instructions 806 may be configured to implementa system, such as at least some of the exemplary system 100 of FIG. 1,at least some of the exemplary system 200 of FIG. 2, at least some ofthe exemplary system 300 of FIGS. 3A-3B, at least some of the exemplarysystem 400 of FIGS. 4A-4B, at least some of the exemplary system 500 ofFIG. 5, and/or at least some of the exemplary system 600 of FIG. 6, forexample. Many such computer-readable media 802 may be devised by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that are configured to operate inaccordance with the techniques presented herein.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system”,“interface”, and the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. For example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program,and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application runningon a controller and the controller can be a component. One or morecomponents may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and acomponent may be localized on one computer and/or distributed betweentwo or more computers.

Furthermore, the claimed subject matter may be implemented as a method,apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, carrier, or media. Of course, those skilled inthe art will recognize many modifications may be made to thisconfiguration without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimedsubject matter.

FIG. 8 and the following discussion provide a brief, general descriptionof a suitable computing environment to implement embodiments of one ormore of the provisions set forth herein. The operating environment ofFIG. 8 is only one example of a suitable operating environment and isnot intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of the operating environment. Example computing devicesinclude, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers,hand-held or laptop devices, mobile devices (such as mobile phones,Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), media players, and the like),multiprocessor systems, consumer electronics, mini computers, mainframecomputers, distributed computing environments that include any of theabove systems or devices, and the like.

Although not required, embodiments are described in the general contextof “computer readable instructions” being executed by one or morecomputing devices. Computer readable instructions may be distributed viacomputer readable media (discussed below). Computer readableinstructions may be implemented as program modules, such as functions,objects, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), data structures, andthe like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstractdata types. Typically, the functionality of the computer readableinstructions may be combined or distributed as desired in variousenvironments.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a system 900 comprising a computingdevice 902 configured to implement one or more embodiments providedherein. In one configuration, computing device 902 includes at least oneprocessing unit 906 and memory 908. Depending on the exact configurationand type of computing device, memory 908 may be volatile (such as RAM,for example), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc., forexample), or some combination of the two. This configuration isillustrated in FIG. 9 by dashed line 904.

In other embodiments, device 902 may include additional features and/orfunctionality. For example, device 902 may also include additionalstorage (e.g., removable and/or non-removable) including, but notlimited to, magnetic storage, optical storage, and the like. Suchadditional storage is illustrated in FIG. 9 by storage 910. In oneembodiment, computer readable instructions to implement one or moreembodiments provided herein may be in storage 910. Storage 910 may alsostore other computer readable instructions to implement an operatingsystem, an application program, and the like. Computer readableinstructions may be loaded in memory 908 for execution by processingunit 906, for example.

The term “computer readable media” as used herein includes computerstorage media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions or other data. Memory 908 and storage 910 are examples ofcomputer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is notlimited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) or other optical storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to storethe desired information and which can be accessed by device 902. Anysuch computer storage media may be part of device 902.

Device 902 may also include communication connection(s) 916 that allowsdevice 902 to communicate with other devices. Communicationconnection(s) 916 may include, but is not limited to, a modem, a NetworkInterface Card (NIC), an integrated network interface, a radio frequencytransmitter/receiver, an infrared port, a USB connection, or otherinterfaces for connecting computing device 902 to other computingdevices. Communication connection(s) 916 may include a wired connectionor a wireless connection. Communication connection(s) 916 may transmitand/or receive communication media.

The term “computer readable media” may include communication media.Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions orother data in a “modulated data signal” such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” may include a signal that has one or moreof its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal.

Device 902 may include input device(s) 914 such as keyboard, mouse, pen,voice input device, touch input device, infrared cameras, video inputdevices, and/or any other input device. Output device(s) 912 such as oneor more displays, speakers, printers, and/or any other output device mayalso be included in device 902. Input device(s) 914 and output device(s)912 may be connected to device 902 via a wired connection, wirelessconnection, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, an inputdevice or an output device from another computing device may be used asinput device(s) 914 or output device(s) 912 for computing device 902.

Components of computing device 902 may be connected by variousinterconnects, such as a bus. Such interconnects may include aPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), such as PCI Express, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB), firewire (IEEE 1394), an optical busstructure, and the like. In another embodiment, components of computingdevice 902 may be interconnected by a network. For example, memory 908may be comprised of multiple physical memory units located in differentphysical locations interconnected by a network.

Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices utilized tostore computer readable instructions may be distributed across anetwork. For example, a computing device 920 accessible via a network918 may store computer readable instructions to implement one or moreembodiments provided herein. Computing device 902 may access computingdevice 920 and download a part or all of the computer readableinstructions for execution. Alternatively, computing device 902 maydownload pieces of the computer readable instructions, as needed, orsome instructions may be executed at computing device 902 and some atcomputing device 920.

Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. In oneembodiment, one or more of the operations described may constitutecomputer readable instructions stored on one or more computer readablemedia, which if executed by a computing device, will cause the computingdevice to perform the operations described. The order in which some orall of the operations are described should not be construed as to implythat these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternativeordering will be appreciated by one skilled in the art having thebenefit of this description. Further, it will be understood that not alloperations are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein.

Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageousover other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary isintended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in thisapplication, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” ratherthan an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clearfrom context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the naturalinclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or Xemploys both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any ofthe foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as usedin this application and the appended claims may generally be construedto mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form. Also, at least one of A and B or thelike generally means A or B or both A and B.

Although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to oneor more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications willoccur to others skilled in the art based at least in part upon a readingand understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. Thedisclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and islimited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regardto the various functions performed by the above described components(e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of thedisclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosuremay have been disclosed with respect to only one of severalimplementations, such feature may be combined with one or more otherfeatures of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageousfor any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent thatthe terms “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof areused in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms areintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A system of providing users with access to aroute for traveling, the system comprising: a route planning moduleconfigured to: receive, from a client device of a user, a request for aroute corresponding to a starting location and an ending location; querya route database to identify an entry indicating that a restrictedaccess road segment exists between the starting location and the endinglocation; and responsive to successfully authorizing the user fortraveling the restricted access road segment, provide the route,comprising the restricted access road segment, to the client device. 2.The system of claim 1, the route planning module configured to: maintaina count of available vehicle allocations for the restricted access roadsegment; and responsive to the count not exceeding an allowed allocationthreshold, authorize the user for traveling the restricted access roadsegment.
 3. The system of claim 1, the route planning module configuredto: authorize the user for traveling the restricted access road segmentbased upon the user submitting a method of payment for access to therestricted access road segment.
 4. The system of claim 1, the routeplanning module configured to: determine an amount for a payment foraccess to the restricted access road segment based on at least one of anamount of time saved by using the restricted access road segment, a timeof day, or a volume of traffic.
 5. The system of claim 1, the restrictedaccess road segment comprising at least one of a high occupancy vehiclelane, a bus lane, or a shoulder lane.
 6. The system of claim 1, theroute planning module configured to: register the client device tocreate a registration comprising a license plate number of a vehicle ofthe user.
 7. The system of claim 1, the route planning module configuredto: maintain a list of allowed users having access to the restrictedaccess road segment; responsive to successfully authorizing the user fortraveling the restricted access road segment, add vehicle identificationinformation of a vehicle of the user to the list of allowed users; andprovide a state entity with access to the list of allowed users.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, the route planning module configured to: obtain anauthorization code from a state entity, the authorization codeindicating that the state entity authorizes the user to travel therestricted access road segment; and send the authorization code to theclient device.
 9. The system of claim 1, the route planning moduleconfigured to: query the route database to identify a second entryindicating that a second restricted access road segment exists betweenthe starting location and the ending location; and offer the routecomprising the restricted access road segment and a second routecomprising the second restricted access road segment to the user forselection.
 10. The system of claim 1, the route planning moduleconfigured to: receive a second request from a second client device of asecond user for a second route corresponding to the restricted accessroad segment; assign a first score to the first user; assign a secondscore to the second user; and responsive to the first score exceedingthe second score, provide the route to the first client device and notto the second client device, the first score assigned based upon thefirst user comprising at least one of a preferred user, a handicappeduser, or a frequent user.
 11. The system of claim 1, the route planningmodule configured to: responsive to a change in traffic conditions onthe route, determine a current location of the user; and provide analtered route to the user based upon the traffic conditions and thecurrent location of the user.
 12. A system of providing users withaccess to a route for traveling, the system comprising: a route planningmodule configured to: receive, from a client device of a user, a requestfor a route corresponding to a starting location and an ending location;query a route database to identify an entry indicating that a trafficlight alteration capability exists along a road segment between thestarting location and the ending location; responsive to successfullyauthorizing the user for traveling the road segment with the trafficlight alteration capability, provide the route, comprising the roadsegment, to the client device; maintain a current location of the clientdevice; and alter operation of a traffic light along the road segmentbased upon the current location of the client device being within athreshold distance of the traffic light.
 13. The system of claim 12, theroute planning module configured to: authorize the user with a stateentity for traveling the road segment with the traffic light alterationcapability.
 14. The system of claim 12, the route planning moduleconfigured to: authorize the user for traveling the road segment withthe traffic light alteration capability based upon the user submitting amethod of payment for access to the road segment.
 15. The system ofclaim 12, the route planning module configured to: determine an amountfor a payment for access to the route segment based on at least one ofan amount of time saved by using the road segment, a time of day, anumber of traffic light alterations, or a volume of traffic.
 16. Thesystem of claim 12, the route planning module configured to: receive asecond request from a second user for a second route corresponding tothe road segment; assign a first score to the first user; assign asecond score to the second user; and responsive to the first scoreexceeding the second score, provide the route to the first user and notto the second user.
 17. The system of claim 16, the first score assignedbased upon the first user comprising at least one of a preferred user, ahandicapped user, or a frequent user.
 18. The system of claim 12, theroute planning module configured to: responsive to a change in trafficconditions on the route, provide an altered route to the user based uponthe traffic conditions and the current location of the user.
 19. Thesystem of claim 12, the route planning module configured to: query theroute database to identify a second entry indicating that a second roadsegment with the traffic light alteration capability exists between thestarting location and the ending location; and offer the routecomprising the road segment and a second route comprising the secondroad segment to the user for selection.
 20. A method for providing auser with a route, comprising: registering a client device, of a user,with a route planning service; sending, from the client device, arequest for the route corresponding to a starting location and an endinglocation; receiving an option to pay for access to the route, the routecomprising a restricted access road segment; submitting payment for theoption; and receiving access to the route.